The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 345: what you’re looking at

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334 Altogether, Lady Saxondale’s reflections were very far from being of an agreeable character, as she took her rambles along the bank of the river. She had come forth alone, for the purpose of com- THR MYSTEBIES OF THE COURT. Lady Saxondale impetiently. . “The girl showed 6 epirit for which I waa not pre- pared—and she demanded no jes: a sum thag——— muning with herself. Mr. Hawkshaw was with | But I shall frighten you with the smount.” Juliana and Florina in the garden: Lady Mac-, “Name it—name it!" cried her ladyahip. donald had remained sn-doors to read her books or; “Ten thousand pounds.” amuse herself with ber knitting: and thus there; Ledy Saxondale stopped short in the stupor of was Do one to intrude upon her ladyship’s solitary amazement. walk.’ * Yee—aueh is her exorbitance,” continued Lord It was noon, we said; and the patrician lady had | Harold: then in a tone of increased vetation, he vambled to « distance of about a mile from the | added, “ Altogether my visit to her was an unforte- ensile,. when she was suddenly aroused from her | nate one. She would not negotiate with me, but ruverie by the noise of an approaching equipage; | declared that she would come direct to you. [ and looking ‘owards the road, she perceived a post-chaise hastening in the direction of the man- sion. It was evident that she herself was observed aud recognised by the occupant of that chaise, who thrusting his head out of the window, ordered the postilion to stop. He then quickly alighted; and Lady Saxondale at once saw that it was Lord Harold Staunton Her first thought was one of joy and satisfaction, believing that he bad succeasfully accomplished his miasion: but her second reflection was the very reverse-——for it strack her that as he approached, there wes nothing reassuring upon his countenance. “ Have you succeeded ?” ahe at once said, without @ single word of prefatory greeting: ‘‘ tell me, have you sueceeded ?” “Iam compelled to say that I have not,” he re. plied. “I have travelled post since the middle of the 99 *fhen you have very disagreeable intelligence for me?” interrupted her ladyship, becoming pale, and yazing fixedly and searchingly upon Harold’s cuuntenance. “Speak !—you mu:t of course per- ceive how useless—in how worse than useless it will be to mislead me.” “T bave no such intention,” responded Staunton, somewhat sharply. ‘“ Does not the speed with which I have travelled sufficiently prove that I con- sider your interesta identical with my own ?”’ . “Then, without more words, explain what has happened.” _“ You may expect a visit from Emily Ar cher——~” “The dancing-girl—Kdmund’s mistzess !” ejacu- lated Lady Saxondale, with mingled excitement and disdain. “Yes: and if I mistake not, she will be here this evening. But rest assured, Harriet,” continued Staunton, “that it is through no j with me nor any arrangement on my part, that she oS Gann. ye” “Then you myst bave man matters very badly,” rejoined Lady Saxondale; “and the pro- mises you held out of settling this business, have proved delusive enough.” “I could not foresee the turn that things would take,” enewered Staunton. “I did my best. Of Alfred, my valet, we can make sure; and there is one thing satisfactory in respect to Emily Archer— that abo has not gomipped upon the subject. But she is meroepary as a Jewoss, and is resolved to ax- tort a mush larger sum than I could possibly have “And wherefore could you not write to me upon thought that if I could procure possession of the masquerade-dress we might dety her—or at least bring her more easily to terms. I accordingly con- trived to steal up to her chamber, where I searched for the dress. Iwas unsuccessful. By some means or another, Edmund’s suspicions were excited that there was a rival in the house; and he discovered me in that chamber. There was an explosion—a quarrel——”” ‘Ah! you have quarrelled with Edmund ?” saul Lady Saxondale. “'Yes—and he bade me observe that for decency’s sake I was never again to set foot within either the town-mansion or the Lincolnshire castle. And now you know everything.” Lady Seaxondale made no immediate response, but reflected deeply for several minutes. If the as pect of her affairs had seemed perplexing previous to Lord Harold's return, it now appeared ten thou- sand times more threatening. What was she to do? how was she to act? The circumstances in which she was placed required leisure for the most serious meditation. | “You had better return to the chaise and pro- ceed on to the castle,” ghe at length said to her companion. “No one there need know that you alighted to speak fo me; and when we mest pre- sently, it will be as if I were previously unaware of your return.” “Perhaps we shall not have another opportunity of conversing alone together, ere you receive Emily Archer’s threatened visit.” “We can decide upon nothing till I Abaeg geen her,” rejoined Lady Saxondale. ‘Jt will be time enough then to deliberate upon the course that is to be pursued.” “ You are cold—distant—reserved, Harriet,” said Staunton. . | “How would you have me be towards you P” de- manded Lady Saxondale, stil) speaking in a glacial voice: then, as her tones suddenly changed into mocking acceuts, and as a emile of withering irony writhed her lips, she said, “I imagine that if the exposure which we have been trying to ward off, should take place—if William Deveril and Mr. Gunthorpe should pursue their law-process and overwhelm me with shame and dishonour,—I sup- pose, Lord Harold, that you will not then be so very anxious to accompany me to the altar?” “What have you to fear if Emily Archer can be silenced ?” asked Staunton, not giving a direct reply to the question so homaly put. “ But think you that I will submit to the ea- tortions of that woman?’ exclaimed her ledyahip, the subject ? why not keep her in London until you , with fire flashing from her eyes. “What? tem —> ansehen COMIC LOO £ OL I CAIN OE SAT ISS SS CO